As Luna's moon shined across Ponyville, not all of pony residence ever went out at night cause of a sinister killer that has been on the loose for quite some time, nopony knows who it is, or what it is.
Slight fog covered the streets and homes were boarded to keep the killer away, but the kidnappings still happen. Parents and Fillies are taken and only the parents are left exactly where they were kidnapped; although, none have had any word of the fillies that this killer has taken.
It has been a few months since this has been happening and nopony seems to find anything that can help, nothing connects the fillies and their parents to anything.
In a deserted alley that was covered in yellow tape and photographers, with cops examining the area. The Chief stared down at the body that they had found, same as always with all the other murders; In an alleyway with the letter X made of blood on the wall, the body always had a scar that would go across their right eye, but nothing else, but due to autopsies they are killed by shock.
The cop looked around the crime scene, finding the same thing as any other body they had found. He went up to the Chief. "Sir, we've got nothing. It's the same as all the other murders, nothing new." He said.
"We need help, call Detective Ace Swift, he's the only one that I know that can solve this." The Chief sighed, leaning against the wall.
"Yes sir." The cop left the alley and to a payphone, he called the number he needed and waited.
Detective Ace was leaning against his desk, resting his eyes when the phone went off, his eyes snapped open and he used his magic to answer the phone. "Detective Ace Swift, What's the Case?" He answered.
Just like that, he was there, looking over the crime scene. "Hey, rookie, details about this 'X' Killer?" Ace asked, as he kneeled down to the body.
"Uh... well, from what we know is that the Killer leaves their bodies in alleyways, exactly where they are last seen. They have fillies with them but they remain missing, when the bodies show up they have a scar on their right eye and their is an 'X' covered in blood on the alley wall." The Cop explained.
"What's the blood work from the X?" Ace asked.
"Now that's the weird part, the blood from the X doesn't come from the victim, it comes from somepony else."
Ace looked at the X. "That is weird." Ace went up to the body and leaned down, looking at the scar on their right eye, seeing how it wasn't clean like they just stabbed them, not caring if they messed anything up. But the weird part is that the wound is sewn together. "Tell me about the wound, is it always this ragged?"
The cop nodded. "Yes sir, it's almost as if their struggling when the scar takes place and the wound is-"
"Sewn together, I see that." Ace stood up and looked over at the cop. "What about the fillies?"
The cop looked at his notepad. "Um... The fillies that are captured stay missing, they are around the ages of three or four."
Ace put a hoof to his chin, then noticing something behind the cop. "Do any of them ride a scooter?" He asked.
The cop looked down at his notepad again, looking through it. "Well, from what we got from the families, No. Why?"
Ace lifted up a scooter and brought it over to another cop.. "I think we got ourselves a witness, ask around, see if you can find anyone that might know who rides a scooter." Ace ordered.
The cop nodded. "Yes sir," Then left the alleyway.
Ace then turned back to the body and put a hoof to his chin again as he leaned down to the body. "Now, tell me about the right eye."
The cop goes through his notepad again. "Well, from the examinations..." The cop froze. "Their gone."
Ace looked over at the cop. "What...? What do you mean their gone?"
"It says here it's nothing more then just an eye socket, no traces of an eye ball anywhere, it's like they just pulled it out and cleaned it." The cop looked over at the body.
Ace turned back and placed both ends of his hooves on the eyelids and pulled them apart, seeing nothing inside, no blood, no eye, no liquid. "Odd..." He muttered, Ace pulled away and stood up. "Let's see if I can recreate this scene."
Ace looked over the crime scene again and began his speech. "The killing didn't happen here that's what we know, but they were kidnapped in this location. The parents with their fillies take a shortcut and they get kidnapped, if that's the case this 'X' Killer didn't work alone." Ace closed his eyes, using his magic to decipher an image but instead, he got a telepathic message.
It was a video.
A mare and her filly were walking home from a party, the mare decided to cut through that alleyway since it would be quicker, keeping her filly close. "Stay with me dear, you don't want to get lost." She said softly.
"Yes mommy." The filly trotted close to her mother, still playing a bit by jumping slightly.
The filly looked at her hooves and spun around, slightly giggling, until she saw a black shadow zoom past her, she gasped and jumped, looking around to find that her mother was no where to be seen. The filly panicked, looking around quickly. "Mommy?" She called out, tears starting to form. "Mommy where are you?" She pushed herself close to the wall, seeing a black shadow walk up to her. "Leave me alone! Give me back my Mommy!" She cried.
The black shadow sent his cape flying over her, disappearing under it, he then turned as it's white eyes stared down the alley. An orange filly jumped and ran out of the alley, leaving her scooter behind. The black shadow slowly followed, as if he knew where she was going.
The Detective broke from his trance and held his head. "That's how they disappeared..." He said to himself. "Who sent me this?"
"Sent what sir? You were out for a few minutes there." The cop informed, looking him over.
Ace shook his head. "Telepathic message, it's only possible by high level unicorns, I'll have to speak with Princess Sparkle for more details." The Detective sighed. "I know how they kidnap them, they take their parents first and then they slowly take the fillies... I don't like this one bit." He sighed.
The cop looked at his notepad. "So what are you going to do first?" He asked curiously.
Ace put a hoof to his chin, then set it down. "First, I find the witness, once done with her I'll talk to the Princess about the kind of magic the killer has." Ace took off his hat. "And maybe a drink, that video was dreadful..." He sighed, putting his hat back on.
The cop from earlier came back, panting slightly. "Sir, I found the fillies home, but she's not there. I did recover a few things that might lead to where she went." The cop handed Ace a few photos.
Ace took it and looked through them. There's one with her and Rainbow Dash at her home, one with her friends in a tree house, and one with Twilight. Ace smiled. "Looks like I can do both at once, I know where she could have gone."
The cop smiled, shaking his head in slight disbelief. "How do you do it?" He asked.
Ace shrugged. "Simple, look at the tiniest detail and it turns out to be a big one. Moral of it is that you need to look at everything, even if it doesn't make sense to the case. Now excuse me, I got a case to solve." Ace walked past the cop and out of the alley, he used his magic to pull out his pipe and lit it with his lighter. He breathed in the excess of the pipe's contents and breathed out a hump of smoke. "Another day, Another case." He sighed. "This one might be my last."
The Crystal Castle Walls made it feel safe, which would make a perfect hiding spot, and the Princess might even know of it. She had Guards of her own and millions of rooms that barely have anything in them, it might be hard to get around in.
The Detective has been in here before, in many other cases that he had trouble on, he would sneak in and infiltrate the library. On the verge to getting anything he needed.
The hallway's were always quiet, making the Detective feel strange, he hated that it was quiet. "This place looks safe enough to hide in, it's so quiet that even the slightest step would make the room echo." He thought aloud.
"Excuse me." A Guard stood in front of the Detective. "What is your business here?"
Ace pulled out his pipe. "I'm here to see the Princess." He said as he began smoking the pipe.
"I'm sorry sir, but she wishes not to be disturbed." The Guard informed.
"Well that's too bad." Ace sighed, taking the pipe out of his mouth. "I actually have a lead to the 'X' Killer case."
The Guard tilted his head slightly. "Sorry, the orders are strict, I'll have to ask you to leave." The Guard pointed to the door, not hesitating.
Ace shrugged. "That's alright then, I'll come back later." He turned around and began to walk away, slowing down a bit as he looked over at a door that led to the library.
The Guard turned around and began walking back to his post, giving Ace a window which he had taken.
Ace entered the library and began looking around, seeing lots of books. "Fantastic... Maybe I can find a link somewhere in the history books or something that might lead to this investigation." Ace began walking around, looking for any history books, see if he could find any traditions that might lead to what the killer does.
Ace stopped looking at the section of history books, grinning as he took a book out and began to go through it. "This is probably going to be awhile."
Ace pulled glasses out of his coat and put it on as he began to read through the books for hours on end, leading on to the point where his jacket laid on the chair and he sat a table with books that covered one side and a few that covered the other. "Nothing..." He closed the book he was currently reading and threw it to the side.
He levitated the next book and opened it, reading through it, luckily for the Detective he had the mindset of both a predator and a prey. The skills of being patient, observant, and very persuading, just like any skilled Detective would have. But only one pony can sneak up on Ace and that pony is...
"Ace Swift." A voice spoke.
The Detective looked up, seeing the Princess stand before him. "Twilight, you're just in time to help me." The Detective went back to the book he was reading.
"I knew it was you, the guard said a stallion wanted to speak to me and said something about the 'X' Killer... I figured you were on the case." Twilight said as she walked over and sat across from him. "What do you want me for?" She asked.
"The Killer knows I was working on the case even before the cops pulled me into it, he sent me a telepathic message." The Detective bluntly stated.
Twilight closed her eyes. "Wait... but that's only capable for high level Unicorns." She said. Ace looked up and grinned, turning the page of the book he was reading.
"Where could you think they could have been from?" He asked.
Twilight looked up at him. "Canterlot, probably went to the school for gifted Unicorns."
Ace smiled. "Now, the killer sent me the video directly, or it could of been something else. But, the killer might have messed up, I can't decipher the magic myself." Ace continued to read the book, turning the page.
"And you need my help to decipher." Twilight finished for him.
Ace smirked. "Well?" He asked.
Twilight stared at him for a few seconds then sighed. "Fine, I'll help, but only this one time." She said.
Ace chuckled. "Sweet, now, I've got a witness."
"Really?" Twilight asked. "Who?"
"At the recent crime scene I had found a scooter, it belonged to an orange Pegasus." Ace looked up at Twilight. "But she's missing, but I know she's still out there, I just got a find her."
Twilight looked down, looking slightly guilty. "Do you have any idea where she might be?" She asked, a bit hesitant.
Ace stared at Twilight, letting her know that she was found out. "I have a hunch."
Twilight sighed, looking up at Ace. "Okay, I might know where she-" A voice had interrupted her.
"Twilight?" A small shadow peered out from the corner, revealing amber eyes.
"Scootaloo, I told you to wait in my quarters." Twilight scolded.
Scootaloo groaned. "But it's quiet in there, I don't like it when it's quiet."
"Dang it Scoo-" Twilight felt something on her shoulder and looked over to see Ace. "She's been through enough." She said towards the Detective.
"I know, but let me ask a few questions, I won't be hard on her, I promise." Ace said.
Twilight looked over at Scootaloo who came out of the shadows with a look of sadness and trauma. "I'm okay with that."
"I know you just trying to protect her." Ace stated. "But she needs to start knowing what the real world is like, it's not all fun and games."
Twilight sighed. "Fine, I'll give you guys some privacy." She said as she stood up, she used her magic to gather a few piles of the Detective's books. "In the mean time, I'll help you with your case." She started to walk away.
"Thank you." Ace said, just giving a shake of the head from Twilight. He then put on a smile and gestured Scootaloo to sit down.
Scootaloo slowly sat down, looking down at her hooves. "Am I in trouble?" She asked.
Ace shook his head. "No, you're not. But you saw something and I'd like to know what it was."
Scootaloo nodded her head, messing with her hooves. "W-what is it?" She stuttered.
Ace sat back, taking off his glasses. "It's about the night where you saw the mother and the filly disappear, I want to know what the pony who took them looks like." He explained.
Scootaloo sighed, looking up at him. "Well, it was dark and I was going home when I saw a shadow pick up a mare in an alley." She then looked up, recalling what happened. "They brought her up to the roof, I decided to help the filly when I saw the shadow drop down from the roof. I quickly parked my scooter behind some trash and began watching, I saw the filly crying and began to move to help her but she disappeared when the shadow threw his cape over her."
Ace put a hoof up, she stopped talking. "I want to know what you saw, what did the shadow look like?" He asked.
Scootaloo closed her eyes, she then opened them and looked up at the Detective. "It was a colt, I know that for sure but it's eyes were blue on one side and red on the other, but it made it look like they were both completely white, but I saw past that."
"What sides?" Ace asked.
Scootaloo closed her eyes again. "There was a scar on the right eye where it was red, the other eye was blue." Scootaloo began to pant, feeling scared again. "When I made a noise, it looked at me... I ran as fast as I could, I am so lucky I got away..." She slightly started to cry.
"It's okay, you're safe here, I promise you. You don't have to answer anymore questions." Ace said. "Now breathe..." He softly said.
Scootaloo nodded quickly and began breathing, calming down. "I'm okay... I'm okay..." She whispered to herself.
"Ace." Twilight trotted over, planting the book in front of him. "I've got something." She planted her hoof on something on the page.
Ace looked closely, seeing the same markings as the ones found on the bodies.
Twilight began to explain. "A few hundred years ago a cult by the name of Xverios killed their victims by cutting out their eyes, they were messy about it as well."
Ace put on his glasses quickly and looked at the page, reading the excerpt aloud.
"Xverios; A cult that performed rituals that would summon demons, but they needed a host to participate. To find this host they used a Horsehair Worm that would go through their eye, within a few hours it would take control of the host. Xverios manipulated the worms to make it work for them, they have been looking for a certain subject that would complete their ritual, we don't know who they were trying to summon."
Ace sighed and took of his glasses. "Wait, why would they come back?" He asked.
Twilight sighed. "The leader Xvis was thrown in Tartarus, do you think he might of escaped like Tirek?"
Ace looked up. "From what I heard about this, the princesses killed all the worms, the only one who knew how to make them was their leader. The leader never wrote it down, he never gave off any hints, he kept everything to himself."
Twilight looked down. "Looks like I'm sending a letter to Celestia." She said.
Ace sighed. "But something doesn't make sense, why are the foals still missing? Why has the leader's methods changed? Why is it that if the worm heals the eye, the eye is missing?" Ace stood up and began rubbing his temple. "I'm going to look up more info on the worms, I'm going to need some coffee."
Twilight nodded, then turned to Scootaloo. "Come on, let's get you back to the room."
Scootaloo stood up. "But I want to help."
Twilight shook her head. "This is way to hard for you to handle, it's best if you keep hidden."
Scootaloo shook her head. "Why not?"
Twilight groaned. "Ace, tell her." She said.
Ace looked up, raising his eyebrows. "Are you sure about that?" He then squinted at Twilight. "Cause you know what I'll tell her."
Twilight nodded. "Right..." She turned back to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo... You know when you fell off your scooter a few weeks ago?" She asked.
Scootaloo nodded. "What does that have to do with this?"
Twilight sighed. "You know how much it hurt?" Twilight asked. Scootaloo gave a slight nod and Twilight frowned. "It'll hurt more than ever if you get caught."
Scootaloo looked down, closing her eyes, she then opened them with determination. "I don't care, I want to help."
Twilight shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you, I don't know what I would do if you've gotten hurt."
"But I've gotten hurt lots of times, I know what I'm doing, and I want to help."
Twilight groaned turning to Ace, giving him a look.
Ace looked up and raised an eyebrow as he notice they were staring at him, he looked at Scootaloo, seeing the determination in her eyes. Ace then smiled. "Alright, you can help." Twilight opened her mouth to speak but Scootaloo cheers interrupted her, but Ace made her stop. "But on ONE condition." Ace spoke, making Scootaloo be quiet. "You do what I say and do not leave my side."
Scootaloo nodded. "I'll do my best." She smiled.
Twilight shook her head. "Fine, but Ace, she's your responsibility." She turned to leave.
"Wait, you still have to decipher the message I got." Ace reminded.
Twilight sighed. "I checked when you were speaking to Scootaloo, they didn't use magic, that's all I'm giving you." She said, leaving.
"What? Didn't use magic? That doesn't make any sense how could they send me the message?" He asked himself.
Scootaloo sat up. "Maybe they used the horse worm thingies." She guessed.
Ace thought for a second, he then smiled. "Good thinking, help me find a book on worms, if we know Twilight, then we know she has a book about everything." Ace put his glasses back on as he got up from his chair
Scootaloo jumped in joy, giving off a salute. "Got it."
After about an hour of searching, Ace saw Scootaloo trot up to him with a book. "Found it." She said proudly.
Ace took the book from her and looked through it. "Good, come on... let's read this thing."
Scootaloo sighed. "Reading?" She asked as if she was whining.
Ace laughed. "Come on, this is the fun part."
They both headed back to the table and set the book down, he opened the book and began to look through it while Scootaloo watched.
He stopped at a page. "Ah ha!" He planted his hoof on a page where it read. 'Horsehair Worms, over 13" Long, Nematomorpha' "Dear Luna..." He muttered.
"Ew..." Scootaloo said looking at a picture of it. "That thing is weird."
(Author: Who else thinks this thing is creepy?!)
"They must of changed the mindset of the worms to target our species, but wait, how could it take orders from something it can't understand." Ace took off his glasses. "And how can it's mindset be changed if it doesn't even have a brain?" Ace had so many questions going through his mind, he levitated the coffee that a guard had given him earlier and took a sip.
Scootaloo thought for a second. "What if they used technology?" She asked.
Ace looked at her. "What?" He asked her in confusion.
"Well, when I was in Canterlot not too long ago they were these things powered by machines, they called it Technology." Scootaloo mentioned.
Ace thought for a second. "Well, the only entrance to Tartarus is..." Ace sighed, looking down. "Right under Canterlot." Ace smiled, patting Scootaloo on the back. "You're pretty smart, kid."
"Thanks." Scootaloo sighed, rubbing her head. "Now I've got a headache."
Ace chuckled. "Don't worry, that happens you'll get used to it, now come on." Ace put on his glasses again. "We've got more reading to do."
Scootaloo sighed. "Well... At least I have something to do."
"That's the spirit." Ace smiled. "Now that we learned more about these worms-" Ace then stared at the ground. Another message. "Hang on..."
It was a mental image.
The Detective shook his head, keeping the image in his mind. "Well that's new."
"What is?" Scootaloo asked.
"I got another image, telepathic message, magic stuff." Ace explained.
Scootaloo smiled. "You're getting the images too?" She asked.
Ace's eyes widened and he stared at Scootaloo. "What images?" Ace asked.
She shrugged. "I got one of a house and one of this castle before I left the room."
Ace looked down. "Shit..." He cursed. "They know where you are, and that house, does that look familiar to you?"
Scootaloo looked down, beginning to think. "I don't know, I think I've seen it around."
Ace grabbed his coat and his hat and put them both on, he lifted up his coffee. "Come on, let's go."
Scootaloo stood up. "But what about-"
"Don't worry, you'll be safe, stay close to me." Ace chugged down his coffee, and left it on the table. "You ready partner?" Scootaloo smiled at her nickname and nodded, Ace smirked. "Then let's get going."
